Device and method for margin marking of radiography specimens

• US 6,826,257 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beekley Corporation
• Original Assignee: Beekley Corporation
• Inventors: Bober, Stewart, Sayre, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yun, Jurie
• Application Number:
  US10/243,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20040052333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 378/162-164, 378/98.5, 378/37
• US Class Current: 378/163
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

A marking device for defining the margins and orientation of radiography specimens includes a plurality of visually distinctive markers joined by a base that holds the markers until the markers are secured to a specimen. The base serves as a holder for the individual markers as the markers are secured to a specimen with sutures or staples, at which time the markers are disconnected from the base. One or more markers may be secured to a specimen as needed to define the orientation of the specimen. By securing markers to specific locations on a specimen, a surgeon can indicate to radiologists and pathologists the specimen'"'"'s orientation in the body before removal, thus aiding in future study of the specimen. Since the markers are made either wholly or partially from radiopaque material, the markers are visible when radiographed.

Claims

1. A device for margin marking of radiography specimens, comprising:

a base for gripping during use; and

a plurality of markers detachably connected to said base, wherein each marker defines an aperture for attaching the marker to a specimen and indicia, and at least one of the marker and indicia is at least partially radiopaque and thereby visible when radiographed to indicate orientation of the specimen.

2. The margin marking device set forth in claim 1, wherein each marker is fabricated from radiopaque material.

3. The margin marking device set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of the markers each comprises a peripheral surface defining a unique shape.

4. The margin marking device set forth in claim 1, wherein each marker defines a unique orientation relative to the other markers.

5. The margin marking device set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the markers defines a unique orientation, including (i) a first marker defining a cranial orientation;

(ii) a second marker defining a caudal orientation;

(iii) a third marker defining a medial orientation;

(iv) a fourth marker defining a deep orientation;

(v) a fifth marker defining a lateral orientation; and

(vi) a sixth marker defining a skin orientation.

6. The margin marking device set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the markers comprises indicia defined by at least one aperture.

7. The margin marking device set forth in claim 6, wherein each indicia includes characters indicative of a unique orientation.

8. The margin marking device set forth in claim 7, wherein each of the markers comprises a peripheral surface defining a unique shape and indicative of orientation.

9. A margin marker for radiography specimens comprising:

a base and at least one marker detachably connected to the base, wherein the marker includes an aperture for attaching the marker to a specimen and indicia, and at least one of the marker and indicia is at least partially radiopaque and thereby visible when radiographed to indicate orientation of the specimen.

10. The margin marker set forth in claim 9, wherein the marker is fabricated from radiopaque material.

11. The margin marker set forth in claim 10, further comprising a peripheral surface defining a unique shape indicative of orientation.

12. The margin marker set forth in claim 9, wherein the marker is radiopaque and defines an orientation consisting of at least one of the following:

cranial, caudal, medial, deep, lateral, and skin.

13. The margin marker set forth in claim 12, further comprising indicia defined by at least one aperture.

14. The margin marker set forth in claim 13, wherein each indicia includes characters indicative of a unique orientation.

15. A method of marking the margins of a radiography specimen comprising the steps of:

providing a margin marking device having a base and at least one marker detachably connected to the base, and wherein the at least one marker defines an aperture and is at least partially radiopaque;

gripping the base and holding the marker against or adjacent to a respective marginal portion of a specimen;

securing the marker to the marginal portion of the specimen through the aperture and into the specimen; and

disconnecting the marker from the base and leaving the marker secured to the marginal portion of the specimen to indicate the orientation of the specimen.

16. The method of marking set forth in claim 15, wherein the securing step is performed with at least one of a suture and a staple.

17. A method of marking the margins of a radiography specimen comprising the steps of:

providing a device including a base and at least one marker detachably connected to the base and having indicia visible on a radiograph and indicative of orientation;

securing the marker to a marginal portion of a specimen corresponding to the respective indicia disconnecting the marker and base;

radiographing the specimen and marker attached thereto;

displaying on the radiograph the indicia to thereby show the orientation of the specimen.

18. The method of marking set forth in claim 17, wherein the securing step is performed with at least one of a suture and a staple.

19. The method of marking set forth in claim 18, further comprising at least one of the following steps:

(i) securing a marker with indicia indicative of caudal orientation to the caudal margin of the specimen;

(ii) securing a marker with indicia indicative of medial orientation to the medial margin of the specimen;

(iii) securing a marker with indicia indicative of deep orientation to the deep margin of the specimen;

(iv) securing a marker with indicia indicative of lateral orientation to the lateral margin of the specimen;

(v) securing a marker with indicia indicative of skin orientation to the skin margin of the specimen; and

(vi) securing a marker with indicia indicative of cranial orientation to the cranial margin of the specimen.

20. A device for margin marking of radiography specimens, comprising:

first means for marking a marginal portion of the specimen;

second means for supporting the first means and for gripping during use;

third means for visually indicating the orientation of the specimen on a radiograph;

fourth means for detachably connecting the first means to the second means; and

fifth means for securing the marker to the marginal portion of the specimen, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and third means is at least partially radiopaque.

21. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 20, wherein the first means is defined by a marker formed by a material that is at least partially radiopaque.

22. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 20, wherein the second means is defined by a base including at least one surface for gripping during use.

23. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 20, wherein the third means is defined by indicia.

24. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 23, wherein the indicia is defined by characters.

25. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 23, wherein the indicia is defined by a peripheral shape.

26. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 23, wherein the indicia is defined by at least one aperture.

27. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 20, wherein the fourth means is defined by a frangible portion.

28. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 20, wherein the fifth means is defined by at least one aperture for receiving at least one of a suture and a staple.

29. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 28, wherein the suture is sufficiently long to allow the first means to lie flat during a radiographic procedure.

30. The device for margin marking set forth in claim 20, wherein each of the first means and second means is approximately planar.